Yesterday started off nicely, with two homers, giving me a little cushion over the Jerrys, but the last runs of the day came from a Josh Donaldson blast, bringing the Jerrys back into a tie with me in home runs. I finished the day with 70.5 points.
All kinds of things happened to the Bags, who gained a point and a half in RBI, but lost two in Saves, where four teams stand tied today at 58. He has a total of 69 points this morning.
Each team’s closers:
BAGS: Petricka, Putnam, Britton (4/10) (Games at home/Games on road)
TOONERS: Robertson, Doolittle (7/7)
PEPPERMARTINS: Qualls, Feliz, Street (7/12)
HACKERS: Mujica, Nathan (13/0)
The Peppers have the edge here. They also have Soria, if Nathan should stumble. Bags benefit because closers derive a slightly higher percentage of their saves when the team is on the road, but the bottom line is that in such a small number of games, anything can happen.
The other big news as of this morning. The Bags had $11 FAAB left, no one else had more than $6. I had $0. We bought:
Bags paid $7 for Rusney Castillo. I drafted Lisalverto Bonilla and Danny Farquhar.
One other interesting thing today. At 6:05 the Indians and Royals resume a game that was suspended a few weeks ago, with the Indians up by two entering the bottom of the 10th inning. Stats aren’t credited from suspended games until the game is finished. If the Indians can hold on Cody Allen, who blew the save in the 9th, will get the win, moving the Palukas within one win of the Bags.
The Bags have eight starts this week. The Pals have only five on their active roster, with Allen Webster on the bench.
I’m one win behind the Jerry’s, in what could prove to be another pivotal point. I have seven starts active, with Kyle Gibson and Hector Noesi on the bench. The Jerry’s have five starters.
About the Palukas: They’re in the hunt with 77 points, but it looks to me like they have a potential plus of three points, unless something incredible happens. It’s possible, but I think unlikely, for both my team and the Bags to finish below 70, the Pals apparent cap. We’ll be watching.